elections and referendums Flashcards
what is FPTP
a simple plurality system where the candidate with the most votes wins the election without having to win a majority
advantages of FPTP
-often leads to strong government with clear mandate
-gives voters clear choice and is simple
-provides strong representation of small constituencies
disadvantages of FPTP
-not porportional as votes do not translate into seats e.g UKIP 3.8 million votes translated into 1 seat
-benefits parties with concentrated support
-limits choice and safe seats
-people may feel their vote is wasted if they dont win
what is STV
-divided the country into multi member constituencies
-voters number candidates in order of preference
-votes are redistributed if candidates do not meet the quota
advantages of STV
-offers a large choice of votes
-encourages positive campaigning because candiates wish to gain votes from other candidates
-seats are highly proportional
-parties with a thinly distributed vote could still win unlikr FPTP
disadvantages of STV
-link between member and voter weaker as their are multiple
-much more complicated than FPTP and takes longer
-donkey voting
what is the AMS
the additional member system is where voters have 2 votes: one for a constituency representative and one for a party lost to add an aditional representative
additional members AMS
additional members are added proportionally by number of votes
advantages of AMS
ensures strong link between MP and voters
very proportional
more choices than FPTP
disadvantages of AMS
small parties are less well represented
party lists candidates have less legitamacy than constituency represenetatives
lackks democratic trasnparency because the party decides who is on the party list
which election uses AMS
scottish parliament
what is SV
the supplementary vote is where voters have a first vote choice and a second preferene vote
advantages of SV
very simple system
stops candidates winning from having small support as require 50%
disadvantages of SV
votes can be wasted because voters only choose two candidates meaning some may have both choices excluded if they dont get 50%
AV referendum 2011
voted against changing the voting system shows little support to move away from FPTP
where is STV used
Northern Ireland